Welcome to the website of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes. The main purpose of this site is to provide the public with information relating to the activities of the Federation. I hope that you find it useful and enjoyable. About the NFGWS

Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme - final 2016 allocations announced by Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government on 30th August 2016

Established in response to the finding from the first phase of the EPA's National Action Plan on OSWTS that poor management of such systems is a major issue to be addressed, plase one of a pilot project completed on GWSs in County Louth confirmed that householders within the Zone of Contribution (ZOC) to the group water scheme source are positively disposed towards the regular desludging of their OSWTS where that is co-ordinated by the local GWS board of management/committee.

Phase two of the pilot is now underway, with the assistance of EPA funding. Six GWSs are participating and will be working closely with NFGWS staff over the coming months on the project. A Steering Group has been established to oversee the project including representatives of the NFGWS, EPA, GSI and LAWCO.

Expert Panel - Reports, Recommendations and Detailed information published by Department on 14th September 2016.

An Expert Panel was set up by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to review and evaluate submissions for funding from Local Authorities under the multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2016 to 2018.

On 14th September 2016 the Department published on its website full details of the Expert Panel's reports and recommendations.

Revised Group Water Subsidy - rates review August 2016.

The "Confidence and Supply Arrangement" agreed in order to facilitate the formation of the minority government made certain commitments in relation to domestic water charges and associated funding.

Arising from this, public (Irish Water's) domestic water charges have been suspended for a period of nine months from 1st July 2016 to 31st March 2017.

In this context the subsidy towards the provision of domestic water supplies by Group Water Schemes has been reviewed. As a result of this review the rates of subsidy payable have been reinstated to pre-2015 levels for the duration of the suspension. If the suspension period is extended (as is provided for in the relevant legislation) it is expected that the subsidy reinstatement will also be extended.

During the suspension period a number of commissions and committees will examine and make recommendations on the longer term funding of domestic water services for the consideration of Oireachtas. The outcome of these deliberations and any decisions arising may necessitate a further review of GWS subsidy payments.

As part of the current review process a new requirement in relation to the use of EIRCODEs in relation to subsidy applications has been introduced. This is in line with general government policy on encouraging the use of EIRCODEs. Any subsidy application submitted after 1st October 2016 will be required to have EIRCODEs included in respect of all members' properties that are included in the application.

Irish Water to assume responsibility for billing its non-domestic (business) customers on a phased basis.

Since 2014 Irish Water has been responsible for the provision of water and wastewater services to all households, businesses and group water schemes previously serviced by Local Authorities. Irish Water did not assume responsibility for the billing element of its non-domestic service (business and IW supplied GWSs) at that time. Up to now this billing service has been administered by the Local Authorities on behalf of Irish Water. Each Local Authority has continued, on an interim basis, to issue these bills and to collect the charges at the same rates and frequencies, and with the same domestic allowances, as had been charged prior to 2014.

Beginning during July 2016, with counties Meath and Monaghan, a process to transfer billing and account administration to Irish Water will take place on a phased basis. Irish Water will be in contact with individual customers as their accounts are transferring and full details will also be available on the Irish Water website www.water.ie.

The transfer of account administration and billing to Irish Water will not involve a change in water services charges, free domestic allowances or billing frequencies in the medium term. It is understood that the process of agreeing a longer term “enduring tariff” structure with the Commissioner for Energy Regulation (Water) is still some time away from concluding.

The NFGWS is meeting with Irish Water to ensure that this transition will not be problematic for Group Water Schemes or their customers during the transfer process. Affiliated Group Water Schemes that experience any difficulties should contact their NFGWS development officer.

National Strategy to reduce exposure to Lead in Drinking Water

On 9th June 2015 the Government approved a National Strategy to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. The Strategy was prepared by Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in consultation with the Department of Health, Irish Water, the HSE and the EPA, in order to map the scale of the problem and identify measures to mitigate any risks to human health posed by lead in drinking water. In February 2016 a Lead Remediation Grant scheme was introduced to assist householders deal with any lead issues they may have in their internal plumbing systems. Copies of the strategy document, the associated press release and an NFGWS information note together with details of the grant scheme and an application form can be accessed below.

Training

NFGWS Conferences / Annual Delegate Conference (ADC)

The 15th Annual Rural Water Services Conference was held on Thursday, 15th September 2016 in Connemara Coast Hotel, Furbo, County Galway. To view conference programme and conference speaker presentations....click here

2017 Rural Water Services Conference will take place on Thursday, 14th September 2017 in McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, County Mayo.

Who should attend NFGWS Rural Water Conference? Group Water Scheme organisers and board members, Local Authority personnel involved in the delivery and supervision of Rural Water Services and all others with an involvement in the management and delivery of rural water services.

NFGWS Latest News

Current issue of the NFGWS magazine (PDF format - 4mb).

If your computer does not open this automatically, please download a PDF reader from adobe.com